Service cart with protective bumpers and recessed drawer handles

ABSTRACT

There is provided a transportable service cart with protective bumpers attached to the vertical corners of the service cart. The service cart of the present invention also comprises drawer handles that do not extend beyond a front surface of the drawers of the service cart or do not extend substantially beyond the front faces of the flanking protective bumpers. The service cart comprises features that prevent or minimize damage to the service cart, or to an object struck by the service cart, when the service cart engages another object. The protective bumpers attached to the outer side of each vertical corner of the service cart extend along at least a substantial portion of the height of the vertical corners to absorb a significant portion of an impact between the service cart and the other object. The drawer handles are attached to recessed surfaces in the front surfaces of the drawers and are advantageously bar type handles or extruded handles that comprise a gripping surface. A push handle may also be provided on the service cart and may comprise a protective overmold. Indicia indicating the manufacturer or retailer or other information may also be defined on various surfaces of the service cart, such as on the protective bumpers, the drawer handles, and/or the push handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to transportable service carts, of thetype commonly used for the convenient storage and transportation ofitems.

Service carts of the described type come in a variety of shapes andsizes that are typically tailored to a specific application or for usewith particular items. They usually comprise a storage compartment and aplurality of wheels. The storage compartment may also comprise surfacesand/or shelves that provide a support surface for the stored items andmay comprise drawers, cabinets, or other components that may completelyenclose the stored items. The plurality of wheels is provided forconvenient transport of the service cart.

One application for a service cart is in automotive repair facilities,wherein the service cart stores a technician's tools. The service cartmay be transported to the approximate area that the technician isworking, typically near a vehicle, to provide convenient access to thestored tools. Occasionally, a service cart will strike a vehicle whilethe vehicle is in the automotive repair facility, which is undesirablebecause such impacts between the service cart and vehicle may damage theexterior of the vehicle or the service cart and may damage the internalcomponents of the vehicle or the stored items in the service cart.Repair facility equipment may also come into contact with the servicecart on occasion. Such equipment may comprise shelving, vehicle liftsystems, or other machinery that may also be damaged if impacted by aservice cart.

The damage to the struck object or the service cart is typically causedby the extremities of the cart, such as the corners of the cart,protruding shelves, protruding handles, or the like. The extremities ofthe cart are most likely to come into contact with other objects, andthe extremities often define relatively sharp features, such as anon-radiused corner or a corner with minimal curvature. Such sharpfeatures concentrate the impact on the struck object during the impact,which increases the amount of damage to the object rather thandispersing the impact over a larger area and reducing the damage.

Therefore a need exists for a transportable service cart that reduces orprevents damage to struck objects and the service cart when the servicecart impacts other objects. A further need exists for a transportableservice cart that reduces the likelihood of impacts between a servicecart and other objects.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention addresses the above needs and achieves other advantages byproviding a transportable service cart that comprises a generallybox-like frame having four vertical corners that extend from a bottomportion of the service cart to a top portion to define a height of theservice cart. A storage component is mounted within the frame.Alternatively, the service cart comprises a storage compartment withouta frame, such that the storage compartment defines the vertical cornersof the service cart. A plurality of wheels is joined to the bottomportion of the service cart so that the service cart is transportable.At least one protective bumper is attached to overlie an outer side ofat least one vertical corner and extend along at least a substantialportion of the height of the service cart. Accordingly, when the servicecart strikes another object, the protective bumpers are more likely toengage the other object such that the impact is dampened and dispersedto reduce or prevent damage to the struck object or service cart.

The protective bumpers of the present invention advantageously are ablow molded material, such as polyethylene, and may define indicia toidentify the manufacturer or retailer of the service cart. Fasteners oradhesives may be used to attach the protective bumpers to the corners ofthe storage compartment. In addition, the service cart may also comprisea push handle on a side of the service cart, wherein the push handle maycomprise an overmold that comprises a gripping surface and definesindicia.

An alternative service cart of the present invention, which may or maynot comprise the protective bumpers on the vertical corners of theservice cart, comprises slidably mounted drawers in the storagecompartment. The drawers define at least one recess in a front surfaceof the drawer such that the recess defines a recessed surface. A drawerhandle, such as a bar type handle or extruded handle, is attached to therecessed surface of the drawer. The drawer handle advantageously doesnot extend beyond or substantially beyond the front surface of thedrawer. If the protective bumpers are provided, the drawer handleadvantageously does not extend beyond or substantially beyond the frontface of the flanking protective bumpers. The service cart also comprisesa plurality of wheels joined to the bottom portion of the service cartso that the service cart is transportable. Accordingly, objects struckby the service cart of the present invention are less likely to impactthe drawer handles of the service cart, which not only reduces thenumber of impacts between the service cart and other objects, but alsoprevents the concentration of the impact on the relatively small surfaceof the handle. Therefore, the service cart with the recessed drawerhandles reduces or prevents damage to the other object and the servicecart.

Service carts of further embodiments may define recesses defininggenerally hexagonal shapes or elliptical shapes into which the bar typedrawer handle is attached. Alternatively, the extruded drawer handle maybe attached to a recessed surface that substantially extends along thelongitudinal length of the drawer so that the extruded handlesubstantially extends along the longitudinal length of the drawer. Thedrawer handles may also define indicia on a surface of the handlesopposite the gripping surface of the respective handles.

Therefore, the present invention provides a service cart with protectivebumpers and/or recessed drawer handles so that damage to a struck objector the service cart is reduced or prevented when the service cartimpacts another object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a service cart in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention, illustrating the protectivebumpers, the recessed bar type drawer handles, and the push handle;

FIG. 2 is detailed sectional perspective view of the protective bumperof the service cart of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1,illustrating the fasteners used to attach the protective bumper to thevertical corner of the service cart;

FIG. 3 is detailed sectional top view of the protective bumper anddrawer of the service cart of FIG. 1 taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1,illustrating a drawer handle that does not extend substantially beyondthe front face of the flanking protective bumper;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the recessed bar type drawerhandles of the service cart of FIG. 1, illustrating the offset depth ofthe recess and the handle depth of the bar type handle;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a service cart in accordance with asecond embodiment of the present invention, illustrating ellipticalrecesses for the recessed bar type drawer handles defining fingergrooves on the gripping surfaces of the handles and illustrating the toplid in the open position; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a service cart in accordance with athird embodiment of the present invention, illustrating recessedextruded drawer handles attached to the front surfaces of the drawers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a service cart 10 in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The service carts ofthe illustrated embodiments are preferably tool carts for storing toolsused for servicing automotive vehicles. The service cart advantageouslycomprises drawers and other features for storage of hand tools andautomotive specialty tools, as well as other items commonly stored orsupported by tool carts in repair facilities. Service carts of furtherembodiments of the present invention may comprise carts of any shape orany size specifically designed for use with alternative applications orfor storage of different items.

The service cart 10 of FIG. 1 comprises a generally box-like frame 12and a plurality of wheels 14. The frame 12 extends vertically from abottom portion 16 of the service cart to a top portion 18 of the servicecart to define a height of the generally box-like frame, which in theillustrated embodiment is the height of the service cart 10. The frame12 of FIG. 1 advantageously defines a vertical height of 30 to 40inches, though service carts of further embodiments of the presentinvention may define any vertical height. The frame 12 of theillustrated embodiment generally defines the outermost portions of theservice cart 10, such as the vertical corners and horizontal corners, asdescribed more fully below. The bottom portion 16 of the service cart 10generally defines the lowermost portion of the service cart andcomprises the bottom surface of the service cart. Likewise, the topportion 18 of the service cart 10 generally defines the uppermostportion of the service cart.

The service cart 10 of the illustrated embodiments comprises a storagecompartment 19 that is mounted within the frame 12. The storagecompartment 19 advantageously comprises at least one slidably mounteddrawer 20. The drawers 20 are slidably mounted through an opening in afront panel of the storage compartment 19 in a conventional manner. Theframe 12 of FIG. 1 comprises a tray 22 located in the bottom portion 16of the frame, and the storage compartment 19 may comprise additionalstorage areas, such as a top shelf 24 enclosed by the side panels of thestorage compartment and a top lid 26 pivotally connected to one of thepanels. The top lid 26 of FIG. 1 defines the top surface of the servicecart 10. The storage compartment 19 generally defines interior storageareas; however, the storage compartment may comprise generally exteriorfeatures such as a flange 28 that define at least one orifice 30 for theplacement of items, such as prybars and screwdrivers, generally on theexterior of the storage compartment. The flange 28 of FIG. 1 extendsoutward from a side panel of the storage compartment 19 and defines agenerally horizontal surface that extends from a front of the storagecompartment to the back of the storage compartment. However, the flange28 advantageously does not extend beyond the protective bumpers of thepresent invention. The storage compartment of further embodiments of theservice cart may comprise additional storage areas or features.

The bottom portion 16 of the service cart 10 defines a bottom surface 32of the service cart, which is generally opposite the top lid 26. Thebottom portion 16 and the top portion 18 of the service cart 10 definethe horizontal corners of the service cart 10 on the bottom and top,respectively, of the cart. The frame 12 also comprises four supports 34that define the vertical corners 35 of the service cart and that extendfrom the bottom surface 32 of the service cart to the top lid 26 of thestorage compartment 19 to define the height of the service cart. Thevertical corner 35 of the service cart, which is located on the support34, as illustrated in FIG. 2, defines a right angle and advantageouslyoverlies the intersections of the panels of the storage compartment 19.The front panel 36 and the back panel 38 of the storage compartment 19are preferably parallel to each other and orthogonal to the parallelleft panel 40 and right panel 42 of the storage compartment, such thatthe storage compartment defines a generally box-like shape with rightangles. The intersections of the front panel 36 and the left and rightpanels 40 and 42, as well as the intersections of the back panel 38 andthe left and right panels, define the intersections 44, as shown in FIG.2. The panels 36, 38, 40, and 42 define a rectangular enclosure of thestorage compartment 19 which is mounted to the inside surfaces of thesupports 34 of the illustrated embodiment during fabrication of theservice cart 10.

The supports 34 of the frame 12 of FIGS. 1 and 2 extend vertically fromthe bottom surface 32 of the service cart to the top lid 26 of thestorage compartment 19. The storage compartment 19 is suspended abovethe tray 22 to define an opening for storage of items. Furtherembodiments of the present invention may comprise storage compartmentsthat vertically extend the entire height of the service cart such thatthe storage compartment defines the bottom and the top portions of thecart. Such further embodiments may not require the supports of theframe, such that the intersections of the panels of the storagecompartment would define the vertical corners of the service cart.Accordingly, the storage compartment of the further embodiments isfabricated or assembled to comprise the supports, vertical corners, andtop and bottom portions of the service cart. Still further embodimentsof the present invention may include a frame and storage compartment ofalternative shapes or sizes.

Referring again to the transportable service cart 10 of FIG. 1, theplurality of wheels 14 is joined to the bottom surface 32 of the servicecart. Further embodiments of the service cart may comprise a pluralityof wheels joined to any surface or panel of the bottom portion 16 of thestorage compartment such that the service cart is transportable. Theplurality of wheels 14, which in the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1,5, and 6 comprises four wheels, enables the service cart 10 to beconveniently rolled around such that a technician using the items storedin the service cart may conveniently move the service cart to beproximate the area that the technician is working, such as near avehicle in an automotive repair facility. The plurality of wheels 14advantageously comprises wheels, rollers, casters, or the like thatdefine a locking feature to keep the service cart 10 in a fixed locationwhen the locking feature is actuated. The plurality of wheels of furtherembodiments of the invention may comprise any rolling device or otherdevice that provides for convenient transport of the service cart.

Because the vertical corners 35 of the service cart 10 are the mostlikely portions of the service cart 10 to contact another object, thepresent invention provides protective bumpers 46 attached to at leastone support 34 to reduce the impact between the service cart and thestruck object (not shown). The protective bumpers 46 of FIGS. 1-6overlie an outer side of each vertical corner 35 of the service cart 10.The outer side of each vertical corner 35 of the illustrated embodimentcomprises the surfaces of the support adjacent the vertical corner andthe surface defining the vertical corner. The outer side of the verticalcorner 35 of FIG. 2 defines a curved corner surface and two linearsurfaces that are tangential to the vertical corner 35. Furtherembodiments of the service cart may define an outer side of the verticalcorner with alternative surfaces that define any relative orientationsand distances. Moreover, the outer side of the vertical corner ofalternative embodiments of the present invention may define only thecurved corner surface or one or more linear surfaces so long as thevertical corner is protected by the overlying protective bumper fromimpacts from multiple directions.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the protective bumper 46 of the presentinvention preferably comprises two front faces 48 and a rounded face 50.The front faces 48 each overlie the linear surfaces tangential to thevertical corner 35, while the rounded face 50 overlies the curved cornersurface of the vertical corner. As shown in FIG. 1, the forward facingfront faces 48 of the two protective bumpers 46 attach to the frontvertical corners 35 of the service cart 10, such that the two protectivebumpers flank the drawers 20. The two forward facing front faces 48 ofthe flanking protective bumpers 46 flank the drawers 20 such that thefront faces are located on either side of the drawers 20. The protectivebumpers 46 define a bumper depth, as illustrated in FIG. 3, from therespective panel of the storage compartment 19, such as the front panel36, to the front face of the protective bumper, such as the forwardfacing front face 48 of the flanking protective bumper. In theillustrated embodiments of the present invention, the front panel 36 ofthe storage compartment 19 is in substantially the same plane as thefront surfaces of the drawers 20 in a slidably closed position.Accordingly, the bumper depth also defines the perpendicular distancefrom the front surface of the drawer 20 in a slidably closed position tothe forward facing front faces 48 of the flanking protective bumpers 46.The bumper depth in embodiments of the service cart 10 with verticalsupports 34 may include the thickness of the vertical support in thebumper depth, as shown in FIG. 3. Advantageously, the bumper depths ofthe two front faces 48 of the flanking protective bumpers 46 areequivalent. However, the front faces of further embodiments of theprotective bumpers may define any relative bumper depths. The roundedface 50 advantageously defines a radius that is preferably greater thanor equal to the radius of the vertical corner 35 of the service cart 10which the protective bumper 46 overlies, as shown in FIG. 2. Inaddition, the rounded face 50 advantageously defines a thickness that isequal to or greater than the bumper depth of the front faces 48. Furtherembodiments of the present invention may comprise a rounded face havingany relative radius, or no radius at all, and having any relativethickness. In addition, protective bumpers of still further embodimentsmay each comprise only two front faces attached proximate to thevertical corner of the service cart, wherein the front faces definebumper depths sufficient to protect the vertical corner.

The protective bumper 46 advantageously defines a hollow portion 52between an outside surface of the protective bumper and the verticalcorner 35 of the service cart 10, such that the hollow portion isbetween two layers of the protective bumper 46, as shown in FIG. 2, orthe hollow portion is between a single layer of the protective bumper,which is the outside surface of the protective bumper, and the verticalcorner of the service cart. The hollow portion 52 reduces the amount ofmaterial required to manufacture the protective bumpers 46, thusreducing the cost of the protective bumpers, and provides moreflexibility to the protective bumper, which improves the deflection andabsorption of an impact between the service cart 10 and a struck object.The hollow portion 52 advantageously extends within the front faces 48and the rounded face 50 to define one hollow portion along a crosssection of the protective bumper 46, as shown in FIG. 2. Furtherembodiments of the service cart may comprise protective bumpers withhollow portions of different shapes or with no hollow portion, such asthe protective bumper shown in FIG. 3.

The protective bumper 46 of the illustrated embodiment is attached tothe service cart 10 with fasteners 54. As shown in FIG. 2, theprotective bumper 46 comprises orifices 56 that can be aligned withthrough holes 58 in the support 34 and storage compartment 19 such thatthe fastener 54 can pass through the orifice and through holes to bethreaded into a nut 60 on the inside of the storage compartment. Theprotective bumper 46 of FIG. 2 is fastened through each front face 48 atequivalent vertical heights; however, further embodiments of theprotective bumper may comprise any number or arrangement of fasteners toattach the protective bumpers. Furthermore, the protective bumpers 46may be attached with alternative fasteners, such as screws or boltsthreaded into threaded holes of the support and/or storage compartment,as well as rivets or snap buttons, to list a few non-limiting examples.Alternative protective bumpers 246, such as the bumpers of FIG. 6, maybe adhered to the support 234 with an adhesive applied between a surfaceopposite the front face 248 and/or the rounded face 250 and the verticalcorner of the service cart 210. Further embodiments of the presentinvention may attach the protective bumpers in alternative ways;non-limiting examples include joining the bumper material directly ontothe storage compartment during the manufacture of the protective bumperor fabricating the storage compartment to retain the protective bumpers.

The protective bumpers 46 of FIGS. 1 and 2 are preferably manufacturedfrom a high density polyethylene (HDPE), or similar flexible material,for improved impact absorption. HDPE is a relatively hard materialcompared to an elastomer or other soft material, it may be blow moldedto form bumpers with various indicia, and it would be more durable andprovide a more attractive appearance than some elastomers or other softmaterials. The blow molded bumpers could also provide a double wallconstruction for the hollow portion 52, which provides flexibility andabsorbs impact energy to avoid or minimize damage to other surfaces.Alternative embodiments may be manufactured from an elastomer materialbecause of its resilience and durability or from other polymer materialsor soft metals, such as aluminum, that define a minimum thickness toflex and thereby absorb the energy of an impact with minimal aestheticdamage to the protective bumper. Further embodiments of the service cart10 may comprise protective bumpers of alternative material. Theprotective bumpers 46 advantageously are capable of flexing andabsorbing impacts to reduce damage to the service cart 10 and struckobjects such that the protective bumpers are not plastically deformed.The protective bumpers 46 are also advantageously manufactured from amaterial that will not deteriorate with time or exposure to sunlight,certain chemicals, or other environmental conditions.

The protective bumpers 46 of the service cart 10 of the presentinvention are advantageously manufactured by blow molding orthermoforming, which are well known in the art. The protective bumpers46 of the illustrated embodiments are advantageously blow molded HDPE,which are blow molded prior to being attached to the service cart 12.The protective bumpers 46 of the illustrated embodiment define indicia62 on the front face 48, which may be used to indicate the manufactureror retailer of the service cart 10 or provide alternative information.The indicia 62 may protrude outward beyond the front face 48 or may berecessed in the front face. Advantageously, the molds used tomanufacture the protective bumpers 46 may comprise interchangeableportions so that the indicia 62 can be edited, replaced, or removed asdesired by the manufacturer. The illustrated embodiments define indicia62 on the forward facing front faces 48 on the front panel 36 of thestorage compartment 19 only; however, further embodiments of the presentinvention may define indicia on the front faces on the front, left,right, and/or back panels of the storage compartment and/or on therounded faces of the protective bumpers. In addition, indicia may bedefined on the rounded face 50 of the protective bumper 46.

Advantageously, the attached protective bumpers 46 extend along at leasta substantial portion of the height of the service cart 10, as show inFIGS. 1, 5, and 6 to provide protection for the service cart and objectsthat may be struck by the service cart. The protective bumpers 46 arenot required to extend the entire height from the bottom surface 32 tothe top lid 26, but only along a substantial portion of the height. Forexample, the protective bumpers 46 extend at least 25% of the height ofthe service cart 10, and more preferably extend at least 50% of theheight of the service cart, and even more preferably extend at least 75%of the height of the service cart, thereby extending at least asubstantial portion of the height thereof. In further embodiments of theservice cart 10, the protective bumpers 46 extend at least along the topportion 18 of the service cart. The protective bumpers 46 of theillustrated embodiments overlie a substantial portion of the verticalcorners 35 of the service cart 10 such that the corners are protectedfrom other objects. The protective bumpers 46 comprise one protectivebumper attached to each vertical corner 35, wherein the individualprotective bumpers define a generally consistent cross-sectional area,as shown in FIG. 2, without interruptions, other than to provideclearance for the push handle of the service cart, as shown in FIG. 1.Protective bumpers of further embodiments of the present invention maycomprise two or more individual protective bumpers on a single verticalcorner of the service cart. Still further embodiments of the presentinvention may provide protective bumpers of alternative shapes andarrangements to significantly protect the service cart.

To facilitate the transport of the service cart 10, the service cartadvantageously comprises a push handle 64, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Thepush handle 64 of the illustrated embodiments is joined to the supports34 of the frame 12 on sides of the supports that are generallyperpendicular to the front panel 36 of the storage compartment 19. Thepush handle 64 may alternatively be joined to the left panel 40 of thestorage compartment 19, which is also generally perpendicular to thefront panel 36 of the storage compartment. If the service cart 10comprises drawers 20 that define a generally planar front surface 66that is generally parallel to the front panel 36 of the storagecompartment, the push handle 64 extends along a direction that isgenerally perpendicular to the front surface of the drawers. The pushhandle 64 of FIG. 1 is an extruded handle that defines two ends 68 andcomprises a bracket 70 extending from each end of the push handle. Thebracket 70 provides a space between the push handle 64 and the surfaceof the service cart 10, such as the supports 34 of the frame 12, towhich the bracket is joined. The bracket 70 is advantageously joined tothe support 34 with fasteners, similar to fasteners described for theprotective bumper 46, or the bracket may be joined by alternativedevices. The bracket 70 may also define indicia 62, as is shown inFIG. 1. Further embodiments of the bracket 70 may comprise a polymermaterial joined, either permanently or removably, to the bracket toabsorb impacts between the bracket and other objects. Such a bracket 70may include an opening such that the indicia 62 on the bracket arevisible.

The push handle of the illustrated embodiment comprises an overmold 72that is axially inserted over the push handle 64 before the brackets 70are joined to the push handle. An alternative overmold 72 may be wrappedabout the push handle 64 if the push handle is rigidly joined to thebrackets 70, which would prevent the axial insertion of an overmold ontothe handle. Further embodiments of the push handle may comprisealternative overmolds. The overmold 72 of FIG. 1 provides a cushionedgripping surface 74 for the person pushing the service cart 10 to gripand may comprise finger grooves on the gripping surface to provide animproved grip on the push handle 64. The overmold 72 is advantageously apolymer material, such as HDPE or an elastomer to list two non-limitingexamples, and may define indicia 62 on the overmold to identify themanufacturer or retailer, or to provide information to the user of theservice cart 10. Overmolds of further embodiments of the presentinvention many be manufactured from any material and may definealternative indicia or no indicia.

Because the push handle 64 defines a surface that projects beyond theprotective bumpers 46 in the illustrated embodiments, the overmold 72provides an impact absorbing surface to reduce damage to the servicecart 10 or other object if the push handle strikes another object. Theovermold 72 advantageously extends over the bracket 70 to cover theoutermost surfaces of the bracket, as shown in FIG. 1. Furtherembodiments of the present invention may comprise alternative pushhandles, recessed push handles that do not extend beyond the protectivebumpers, or no push handles.

The service cart 10 of the present invention also provides recesseddrawer handles to reduce or prevent damage caused when the handles of aservice cart strike an object. The drawers 20 of the service cart 10 ofFIGS. 1 and 4 comprise recesses 76 that define a generally hexagonalshape. The recess comprises six sides that may be angled or generallyperpendicular to the front surface 66 of the drawers 20 and thatadvantageously comprise radiused intersections of the six sides. Furtherembodiments of the recesses may include alternative hexagonal shapes ormay define non-hexagonal shapes. The recess 76 further comprises arecessed surface 78. The sides of the recess 76 advantageously join therecessed surface 78 to the front surface 66 of the drawer 20, whereinthe sides may be oriented at any angle relative to the recessed surfaceand/or front surface of the drawer. The recessed surface 78 is inwardlyoffset in a perpendicular direction from the front surface 66 of thedrawers 20 such that the recess 76 defines an offset depth “X” in aperpendicular direction from the recessed surface to the front surfaceof the drawer, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Advantageously, the recessedsurface 78 of the illustrated embodiment is generally parallel to thefront surface 66 of the drawers 20.

A bar type drawer handle 80 is attached to the recessed surface 78 todefine a recessed drawer handle for the service cart 10. The bar typehandle 80 defines a gripping surface 82 spaced from the recessed surface78. The bar type handle 80 of FIGS. 1-4 defines a handle depth “Y” fromthe surface of the handle opposite the gripping surface to the recesssurface, which is no greater than the offset depth “X” of the recess 76such that the bar type handle extends no further than the front surfaceof the drawer. Further embodiments of the recess 76 define an offsetdepth “X”, or a handle depth “Y” of the bar type handle 80, such thatthe bar type handle does not extend beyond or substantially beyond thefront faces 48 of the flanking protective bumpers 46. In suchembodiments, the handle depth of the bar type handle 80 is not greateror substantially greater than the combined distances of the offset depthand the bumper depth, preferably not greater than one inch, and morepreferably not greater than one-half inch than the combined distances ofthe offset depth and the bumper depth. If the service cart comprises astorage cart mounted within a frame, then the bumper depth includes thethickness of the supports 34 of the frame 12 and the bumper 46 as shownin FIG. 3. Alternatively, if the service cart is fabricated to definethe frame, such that the vertical corners of the storage compartmentdefine the vertical corners of the service cart, then the bumper depthwould not include the thickness of supports 34. A recessed drawer handle80 that extends no further than the front surface 66 of the drawers 20or does not extend substantially beyond the front faces 48 of theflanking protective bumpers 46 is particularly advantageous when theservice cart 10 is being pushed through a narrow passage where anotherwise protruding drawer handle would strike an object but therecessed drawer handle would not strike the object or would be lesslikely to strike the object.

The recessed surface 78 of the recess 76 is advantageously the innermostsurface of the recess, such as the recessed surface of FIG. 3. However,the recess of further embodiments of the present invention may comprisemultiple surfaces of varying perpendicular distances. Non-limitingexamples of alternative recessed surfaces include curved surfaces ormultifaceted surfaces. In such embodiments, the recessed surfacecomprises the surface to which the bar type handle is attached such thatthe offset depth is measured from the front surface of the drawer to therecessed surface, independent of the additional surfaces of the recess.

Bar type handle 80 of FIGS. 1 and 4 comprises a gripping surface 82 thatis spaced from the recessed surface 78 by two standoffs 84. The grippingsurface 82 is generally perpendicular to the parallel standoffs 84 andintersects the standoffs at right angles to define the handle corners86. The standoffs 84 are attached to the recessed surface 78 withfasteners (not shown); however, further embodiments of the bar typehandles may be attached in alternative ways. The handle depth of the bartype handle 80 of FIGS. 3 and 4 is illustrated as “Y” and is theperpendicular distance from the recessed surface 78 to the surface ofthe bar type handle opposite the gripping surface 82. The surfaceopposite the gripping surface 82 is preferably the outermost portion ofthe handle. The surface opposite the gripping surface 82 may defineindicia 62, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 that may be defined in thebar type handle 80 when the handle is manufactured. Variousmanufacturing methods may be used to define the indicia and includenon-limiting examples such as molding and machining.

FIG. 5 illustrates alternative bar type handles 180 for the service cart110, as well as an alternative shape for the recess 176. The bar typehandles 180 of FIG. 4 define a generally circular cross section anddefine rounded corners 186, as opposed to the non-circular cross sectionand sharp corners 86 of the bar type handles 80 of FIGS. 1 and 4. Thegripping surface 182 of the bar type handles 180 of FIG. 4 definesfinger grooves to facilitate contact between a user's hand and thegripping surface. Indicia may also be defined on the bar type handle 180opposite the gripping surface 182. The bar type handles 180 preferablydo not extend beyond or substantially beyond the front faces 148 of theflanking protective bumpers 146 and more preferably do not extend beyondor substantially beyond the front surface 166 of the drawers 120.

The recess 176 of FIG. 5 defines a generally elliptical shape, asopposed to the generally hexagonal shape of the recess 76 of FIGS. 1 and4. Still further embodiments of the present invention may compriserecesses that define alternative shapes. The service cart 110 of FIG. 5also illustrates the top lid 126 in an open position to provide accessto the top shelf 124. The top lid 126 is pivotally mounted to the backpanel 138 with a hinge 190 for movement of the top lid between open andclosed positions. The top lid 126 comprises at least one lift assist 188defined in the storage compartment 119, wherein the top lid in an openposition is supported by the lift assist. The lift assists 188 of FIG. 5are connected between the storage compartment 119 and the top lid 126.The lift assists of FIG. 5 connect to a pry bar or screwdriver holder onthe top tray 124 of the storage compartment 119; however, lift assistsof further embodiments of the present invention may be attached to anysurface of the storage compartment. The lift assists 188, along with thehinge 190 about which the top lid rotates, support the top lid 126 whenthe lid is inclined in the open position. The lift assist 188 of FIG. 5comprises a gas cylinder; however, further lift assists of the presentinvention include, but are not limited to pneumatic devices, springlifts, ratcheted members, jack-like devices, or other lift assists knownin the art.

Referring to FIG. 6, a third illustrated embodiment of the service cart210 comprises recessed extruded drawer handles 292 that preferably donot extend beyond or substantially beyond a front surface 266 of thedrawers 220, and more preferably do not extend beyond or substantiallybeyond the front faces 248 of the flanking protective bumpers 246. Thedrawers 220 each define a longitudinal length of the drawer, and therecess 276 substantially extends along the length of a drawer. Theextruded handles 292 of the illustrated embodiment also substantiallyextend along the longitudinal length of the drawers 220. The recess 276defines a recessed surface 278 to which the extruded handle 292 isattached, preferably with fasteners as described above. Alternatively,the extruded handle may be slidably inserted in a longitudinal directioninto a portion of the recess structured and arranged to receive andretain the extruded handle. Further embodiments of the present inventionmay comprise alternative ways of attaching the extruded handle.

The recessed surface 278 is inwardly offset from the front surface 266of the drawer 220 to define an offset depth in a perpendicular directionfrom the recessed surface to the front surface of the drawer. Theextruded handle 292 of the illustrated embodiment defines a handle depththat is no greater than the offset depth of the recessed surface 278such that the extruded handle does not extend beyond or substantiallybeyond the front surface 266 of the drawer 220. An alternativeembodiment of the extruded handle 292 defines a handle depth that is notgreater or substantially greater than a combined distance of the offsetdepth of the recess 276 and the bumper depth of the flanking protectivebumpers 246 such that the extruded handle of the slidably closed drawer220 does not extend beyond or substantially beyond the front faces ofthe flanking protective bumpers. Preferably the extruded handle does notextend more than one inch beyond the front faces of the flankingprotective bumpers 246, and more preferably not greater than one-halfinch beyond the front faces of the flanking bumpers 246. If the servicecart comprises a storage cart mounted within a frame, then the bumperdepth includes the thickness of the supports 34 of the frame 12 and thebumper 46 as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, if the service cart isfabricated to define the frame, such that the vertical corners of thestorage compartment define the vertical corners of the service cart,then the bumper depth may not include the thickness of supports.

The extruded handle 292 of FIG. 6 comprises a gripping surface 282 thatis generally bisected in a vertical direction by the standoff 284 of theextruded handle. The standoff 284 of the extruded handle 292 of FIG. 6substantially extends along the entire longitudinal length of theextruded handle and is generally perpendicular to the gripping surface282 and a surface opposite the gripping surface. Finger grooves areadvantageously defined on the gripping surface 282. In addition, indicia262 are defined opposite the gripping surface in the illustratedembodiment. Further embodiments of the present invention may includeextruded handles of alternative shape and longitudinal length.

Still further embodiments of the present invention may comprise bar typedrawer handles attached to the recess, such as the recess 76 of FIG. 1or recess 176 of FIG. 2, wherein the handles are attached to the sidesof the recess. The drawer handles are advantageously attached to thesides of the recess with fasteners or the like or may be fabricated withthe drawer, such that the drawer handles are securely attached to thedrawer. The drawer handles joined to the sides of the recess define ahandle depth from the surface of the handle opposite the grippingsurface to the recessed surface, wherein the handle depth is not greateror substantially greater than the offset depth of the recessed surface,such that the bar type handles preferably do not extend further than thefront surface of the drawers, and more preferably do not extendsubstantially beyond the front faces of the flanking protective bumpers,if provided. Further embodiments of the drawer handles may includeovermolds, similar to the overmold 72 of the push handle 64 describedabove, that are placed on the drawer handles to provide a protectiveovermold to absorb impacts if the drawer handle strikes another object.The overmold may be axially inserted on the drawer handle, either thebar type or extruded handles, or may be wrapped about the drawer handle.The recessed drawer handles comprising an overmold preferably do notextend beyond or substantially beyond the front surface of the drawers,and more preferably do not extend beyond or substantially the front faceof the protective bumpers, if provided. The overmold of drawer handlesthat do extend beyond or substantially beyond the front surface of thedrawers or front faces of the protective bumpers advantageously providesan impact absorbing surface to reduce damage to the service cart orother object if the drawer handle strikes another object. Additionalembodiments of the drawer handles may define alternative structures orfeatures.

To manufacture the service cart of the illustrated embodiment, thestorage compartment is fabricated and mounted to the generally box-likeframe. Alternatively, the storage compartment may be fabricated todefine the frame, such that the vertical corners of the storagecompartment define the vertical corners of the service cart. The storagecompartment advantageously is fabricated to include shelves, drawers,lids, and/or the like as required. A plurality of wheels is joined tothe bottom portion of the frame or storage compartment so that theservice cart is transportable. The protective bumpers are attached tothe vertical corners of the service cart, advantageously by fasteners,adhesives, or the like as described above. The protective bumpers extendvertically along at least a substantial portion of the height of theservice cart and may define indicia.

For the embodiments of the service cart that comprise drawers withrecessed handles, the drawers comprising the recesses are slidablymounted within the storage compartment before or after the handles havebeen attached to the recessed surfaces of the drawers. Either bar typehandles or extruded handles may be attached to the drawers, and arepreferably fastened to the drawers. The handles preferably define ahandle depth that is not substantially greater than the combineddistance of the offset depth from the recessed surface to the frontsurface of the drawer and the bumper depth from the front surface of thedrawer to the front faces of the flanking protective bumpers, such thatthe handles do not extend beyond or substantially beyond the front facesof the flanking protective bumpers. More preferably, the handles definea handle depth that is not greater than or substantially greater thanthe offset depth such that the handles extend no further than the frontsurfaces of the drawers.

The service cart of the present invention eliminates protruding handleswhile providing a bar type handle or extruded handle to open the drawersof the service cart. Such recessed bar type or extruded handles arepreferred to alternative drawer handles that are less convenient to gripor to apply a pulling force to open the drawer. The lack of protrudingdrawer handles reduces the likelihood of the handles contacting otherobjects during transportation of the service cart and the amount ofdamage to the handles or other objects if contact does occur. The pushhandle advantageously comprises a protective overmold to minimize theimpact between the push handle and other objects that may contact thepush handle. Likewise, the protective bumpers at the corners of thestorage compartment minimize the impact between the service cart andother objects that may contact the service cart, thus reducing theamount of damage to each.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

1. A transportable service cart for storing tools used for servicingautomotive vehicles, the transportable service cart comprising: agenerally box-like frame defining a top portion and a bottom portion ofthe service cart and comprising four vertical corners of the servicecart that extend from the bottom portion to the top portion to define aheight of the service cart; a storage compartment mounted within theframe; a plurality of wheels joined to the bottom portion of the servicecart such that the service cart is transportable; and at least oneprotective bumper attached to overlie an outer side of each verticalcorner so as to extend along at least a substantial portion of theheight thereof.
 2. A transportable service cart according to claim 1wherein the protective bumper is attached to the vertical corners of theservice cart with at least one fastener.
 3. A transportable service cartaccording to claim 1 wherein the protective bumper defines a hollowportion between an outside surface of the protective bumper and thevertical corner of the service cart.
 4. A transportable service cartaccording to claim 3 wherein the protective bumper comprises a blowmolded material.
 5. A transportable service cart according to claim 3wherein the blow molded material comprises polyethylene.
 6. Atransportable service cart for storing tools used for servicingautomotive vehicles, the transportable service cart comprising: agenerally box-like storage compartment comprising four vertical cornersof the service cart that extend from a bottom portion of the storagecompartment to a top portion thereof to define a height of the storagecompartment; a plurality of wheels joined to the bottom portion of thestorage cart such that the service cart is transportable; and at leastone protective bumper attached to overlie an outer side of at least onevertical corner of the storage compartment so as to extend along atleast a substantial portion of the height thereof.
 7. A transportableservice cart according to claim 6 wherein the storage compartmentdefines a substantially planar front panel and at least one side panelgenerally perpendicular thereto, and wherein the service cart comprisesa push handle joined to a side panel of the storage compartment so as toextend along a direction that is generally perpendicular to the frontpanel of the storage compartment.
 8. A transportable service cartaccording to claim 6 wherein the push handle comprises an overmoldcomprising a cushioned gripping surface, and wherein indicia are definedon the overmold.
 9. A transportable service cart according to claim 6,further comprising a top lid that is pivotally mounted to the topportion of the storage compartment for movement between open and closedpositions, with at least one lift assist connected between the storagecompartment and the top lid, wherein the top lid is supported in theopen position by the lift assist.
 10. A transportable service cartaccording to claim 6 wherein the protective bumper is attached to thevertical corners of the storage compartment with at least one fastener.11. A transportable service cart according to claim 6 wherein theprotective bumper defines a hollow portion between an outside surface ofthe protective bumper and the vertical corner of the service cart.
 12. Atransportable service cart according to claim 11 wherein the protectivebumper comprises a blow molded material.
 13. A transportable servicecart according to claim 12 wherein the blow molded material comprisespolyethylene.
 14. A transportable service cart according to claim 6wherein the protective bumper is attached to the vertical corners of thestorage compartment with an adhesive.
 15. A transportable service cartaccording to claim 6 wherein the protective bumper comprises anelastomer material.
 16. A transportable service cart according to claim6 wherein the protective bumper comprises polyethylene.
 17. Atransportable service cart according to claim 6 wherein indicia aredefined on the protective bumper.
 18. A transportable service cartaccording to claim 6 wherein the storage compartment comprises at leastone slidably mounted drawer such that the drawer may be selectivelyopened and closed, and wherein the drawer defines a generally planarfront surface and is flanked by two of the protective bumpers, with eachof the two protective bumpers defining a front face and a bumper depthin a perpendicular direction from the forward facing front faces of theflanking protective bumpers to the front surface of the drawer when thedrawer defines a slidably closed position, the drawer furthercomprising: at least one recess defined in the front surface of thedrawer, wherein the recess comprises a recessed surface inwardly offsetfrom the front surface of the drawer such that the recess defines anoffset depth in a perpendicular direction from the recessed surface tothe front surface of the drawer; and at least one drawer handle attachedto the recessed surface of the drawer, wherein the drawer handle definesa handle depth that is not substantially greater than a combineddistance of the offset depth of the recess and the bumper depth of theprotective bumpers such that the drawer handle of the slidably closeddrawer does not extend substantially beyond the front faces of theflanking protective bumpers.
 19. A transportable service cart accordingto claim 18 wherein the drawer handle defines a handle depth that is notgreater than a combined distance of the offset depth of the recess andthe bumper depth of the protective bumpers such that the drawer handleof the slidably closed drawer does not extend beyond the front faces ofthe flanking protective bumpers.
 20. A transportable service cartaccording to claim 18 wherein the drawer handle comprises a bar typehandle comprising a gripping surface spaced from the recessed surface.21. A transportable service cart according to claim 18 wherein thedrawer handle comprises an extruded handle comprising a gripping surfacefacing the recessed surface.
 22. A transportable service cart forstoring tools used for servicing automotive vehicles, the transportableservice cart comprising: a generally box-like storage compartmentcomprising four vertical corners of the service cart that extend from abottom portion of the storage compartment to a top portion thereof todefine a height of the storage compartment; a plurality of wheels joinedto the bottom portion of the storage compartment such that the servicecart is transportable at least one slidably mounted drawer defined inthe storage compartment such that the drawer may be selectively openedand closed, wherein the drawer defines a generally planar front surface;at least one recess defined in the front surface of the drawer, whereinthe recess comprises a recessed surface inwardly offset from the frontsurface of the drawer such that the recess defines an offset depth in aperpendicular direction from the recessed surface to the front surfaceof the drawer; and at least one drawer handle attached to the recessedsurface of the drawer, wherein the drawer handle defines a handle depththat is no greater than the offset depth of the recess such that the bartype handle extends no further than the front surface of the drawer. 23.A transportable service cart according to claim 22 wherein the drawerhandle comprises a bar type handle comprising a gripping surface spacedfrom the recessed surface.
 24. A transportable service cart according toclaim 22 wherein the drawer handle comprises an extruded handlecomprising a gripping surface facing the recessed surface.
 25. Atransportable service cart according to claim 24 wherein the drawerdefines a longitudinal length, and wherein the recess and extrudedhandle substantially extend along the longitudinal length of the drawer.26. A transportable service cart according to claim 24 wherein thedrawer handle defines indicia opposite the gripping surface of thedrawer handle.